Fundraisers at BCBB, Antonio's Gourmet Market and the Cary O'Charley's

I thought Durham's Bull City Burger and Brewery (www.bullcityburgerandbrewery.com) was overly packed last Monday night. Then a man with a handlebar moustache stood on a chair and explained why: It's Movember, a monthlong charity event recognized worldwide that was originally launched in Melbourne, Australia (where "mo" is the common word for a moustache).

The man, Dan Lee of Durham Socialite, auctioned the opportunity to clip the ends of his moustache. In order to participate in Movember, men must start November clean-shaven and grow whiskers through the end of the month to raise funds for and awareness of prostate cancer.

Along with Seth Gross, owner of BCBB, Lee is co-captain of the team Durham: City of Moustache. The American Tobacco Barber Shop supported team members by providing clean razor shaves at the beginning of the month. Now 32 members strong, the proclaimed Mo Bros of Durham have already raised close to $3,000, which will support efforts of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. They encourage women, whom they call Mo Sistas, to support the cause as well.

Donations can be made to the Durham team or individual members at movember.durhamsocialite.com. In addition, proceeds from sales of BCBB's special Movamber Moustache Ale, a hoppy amber ale, will benefit the cause. The brewery is also hosting Movember Mondays, when a portion of lunch sales will support the team. For more information about the international Movember effort, visit www.movember.com.

Saturday provides a chance to help the Raleigh Rescue Mission. Jeanie DeGroff, an oncology nurse who published a cookbook of recipes gathered from friends and patients, Everybody Brings Something to the Table, has partnered with Antonio's Gourmet Market & Patio Bistro (www.antoniosgourmetmarket.com) in North Raleigh for a fundraiser to support the faith-based nonprofit. Between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., DeGroff will sell and sign copies of her book. Twenty percent of sales will benefit the Raleigh Rescue Mission, which provides food and shelter for people in need.

Gift baskets will also be available as part of a raffle. All of those proceeds will go to the nonprofit. A selection of soups from the cookbook will be available to sample as well.

Earlier on Saturday, the Cary O'Charley's (www.ocharleys.com) will host a pancake breakfast benefit for Second Chance Pet Adoptions and S.P.A.R.R. (Sound Pet Animal Rescue and Referral). Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., members of the Second Chance board of directors will serve scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon and, of course, pancakes. Tickets are $8, and nearly 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the two rescue organizations.

Bruce Jantella, a manager at the Cary O'Charley's, says the event offers the restaurant a chance to show that "we care about the community we're in."